The turtle symbolizes longevity and good luck in Japanese culture. While enjoying ramen at Slurping Turtle, patrons are encouraged to slurp their noodles as a polite gesture of enjoyment. The Slurping Turtle is a sign of the harmonious relationship they strive to create with their food and their guests.

Chef Tadashi Nagura serves as corporate executive chef of Slurping Turtle Restaurants. Chef Nagura, alongside James Beard winning chef/owner Takashi Yagihashi, crafts each dish based on authentic Japanese fare, childhood favorites and unique flavors. Originally from Hamamatsu, Japan, he joined the restaurant scene in 1991. Nagura arrived from Japan as a college student at Eastern Michigan University. To help pay for tuition, Nagura took a job in the kitchen at Japanese restaurant, Miki, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

From there, Nagura quickly climbed up the culinary ladder and discovered a world that blended the cuisine of his native Japan with American influences and ingredients. In September 2013, Tadashi Nagura joined longtime friend and industry colleague, Chef Takashi Yagihashi with the opening of Slurping Turtle. In 2017, Chef Nagura became the corporate executive chef of Slurping Turtle.

“Slurping Turtle is a Japanese ramen shop with a menu that reflects our dedication to traditional ingredients, housemade noodles and a variety of broths,” explains Chef Nagura, “Our new menu is all about using authentic broths and housemade noodles; it truly sets us apart from other Chicago restaurants which serve ramen.”

The menu highlights Slurping Turtle’s passion for the perfect bowl of ramen and Chef Nagura’s culinary expertise. This combination truly benefits the taste buds of Chicagoans.

They are open for lunch and dinner, Sunday-Thursday from 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. and Friday-Saturday from 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Need more information? Call Slurping Turtle at: 312-464-0466 visit their website or Facebook.